Farouk, The Royal Crook. New Canaan, 1948.
SYZK, Arthur. Farouk, the Royal Crook. “Shame on You, Arthur Szyk — His Majesty does not Steal — His Majesty Confiscates…” Signed and Dated “Arthur Szyk, New Canaan, 1948”. Pen and ink on paper. Image size: 4 1/2″ x 4″. Very slight ink smear affecting signature, otherwise Very Good condition.
Szyk’s unerring ability to cut through all pretenses is brilliantly exhibited here in this satire of the roles played by Arab leaders during the fight for the establishment of the State of Israel. King Farouk of Egypt is portrayed in all his girth and glory carrying two gunny sacks labeled “Stolen Jewish Property”. He seems to wink at the observer and is absolutely brazen about the robbery for, of course, “…His majesty does not steal. His majesty confiscates.” The fez on his head is the only symbol identifying his Middle Eastern heritage; the rest of his uniform is a gaudy display of Germanic symbolism complete with medals, swastikas, swords and a decorative rosette “from Rummel” (sic: Field Marshall Rommel who fought for the Axis powers in Africa). Farouk was famously known for his lavish lifestyle and gargantuan appetite. During “The Holy War” of 1948 not only did he physically steal property and valuable goods from the Jews in Palestine but he was a renowned kleptomaniac in his private life, pocketing items of great value from such persons as The Shah of Iran and Winston Churchill. Indeed, he was often called “The Thief of Cairo”. The figure marching with Farouk is more representative of the traditional religious Arab who wears a robe instead of a suit. Szyk shows him continuing to be influenced by the ghosts of Hitler and the Nazi party as he sports both a swastika and an iron cross. Perched behind these two plunderers is one of the artist’s favorite icons of greed and death — the vulture.
Violence in the Holy Land broke out almost immediately after the United Nations announced Partition on November 29, 1947. Despite disadvantages in numbers, organization and weaponry, the Jews began to take the initiative in the weeks from April first until the declaration of independence on May 14, 1948. The Arab nations of Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Transjordan then declared a Holy War of extermination and vowed to “save Palestine.” The months following would see a terrible loss of life and the destruction of the Yishuv’s [Jewish community] economy; however the Arab war failed to destroy Israel itself. Armistice agreements were signed beginning in February 1949 by Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria with Iraq refusing to sign. The ultimate victory was the birth of the independent state of Israel.
Provenance: Alexandra Szyk Bracie, daughter of Arthur Szyk.
